The Violence Risk Scale – Sexual Offender Version (VRS-SO) was developed to assess sexual offending risk, identify treatment targets and measure treatment changes using a combination of static and dynamic risk factors. Treatment change is assessed using a rubric based on a modified Stage of Change model for each dynamic factor identified as a treatment target. We provide a brief overview of the VRS-SO and review the research evidence showing that treatment changes assessed with the tool were associated prospectively with expected changes in sexual and violent recidivism in the community. The VRS-SO dynamic factors fulfil the requirements of what is termed causal risk factors, that is, a causal link has been demonstrated between the dynamic factors and prospectively assessed recidivism (Kraemer et al., 1997).